Ball-game device.



R. SATO.

BALL GAME DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1910.

Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

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RYUJI SATO, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BALL-GAME DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

Application filed July 22, 1910. Serial No. 573,198.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RYUJI SA'ro, a S11b]ECt of the Emperor of Japan,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illlnois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Ball-Game Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a device for playing a game in which a ball isused, and has for its object to provide such a device, which will affordinteresting and exciting amusement, and which may be played by two ormore persons.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification,and in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views,Figure 1 is a pictorial representationshowing the manner of playing with the device. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation, illustrating the device in its preferred form. Fig. 3 is asimilar view, showing a modified form.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 1 indicates a suitable handle, tothe end of which is fastened, in any suitable manner, a stout wire loop2. Secured to, and distended by the loop 2, is the upper, open end of anelongated bag 3, which is preferably formed of heavy canvas treated witha water-proofing paint. As shown in Fig. 2, the bag 3 tapers inwardlyfor about twothirds of its entire length from its upper end, or to thepoint X, at which point it is a trifle less in diameter than thediameter of the ball 4:, thereby causing the ball to lodge in the bag atthis point, until it is dislodged in a manner to be hereinafterdescribed. To prevent the bag 3 from expanding or contracting, at thepoint X, it is stitched at said point, both horizontally and vertically,as indicated in Fig. 2. From the point X the bag flares outwardly to itslower end, which is open to allow the ball to pass out, after it hasbeen dislodged from the point X In the modified form shown in Fig. 3,outwardly curved strips of wood 5 are substituted for the stitchedportion X of the bag 3, shown in Fig. 2. These strips 5 are connected tothe bag by means of laces 6, or they may be connected in any othersuitable manner. The shortest distance between the inner sides of thestrips 5, is slightly less than the diameter of the ball, so that saidstrips 5 will serve to normally prevent the ball from passing outthrough the lower end of the bag 3.

The manner of playing the game is as follows: To start the game, one ofthe players drops the ball into the bag 3 of the device he holds and,for the reasons above stated,

-it will lodge in the bag at the point X, if the device shown in Fig. 2is used, or between the strips 5, if the device shown in Fig. 3 is used.The player then swings the device around several times in a circle abovehis head and stops with a sudden jerk. This will dislodge the ball andcause it to pass out through the lower, open end of the bag 3 and takeflight through the air. The course of the ball will be controlled by thedirection in which the lower end of the bag 3 is presented, when thejerk is given thereto. The ball is to be caught by the other player, inthe bag of the device he holds, and returned to the firstmentioned-player in a similar manner. If desired, suitable goals A maybe used, as shown in Fig. 1, over which the ball should pass in itsflight, thereby increasing the skill required to play the game, andconsequently make it more interesting to the players. As many persons asdesired may play the game, and by successively catching and throwing theball they will derive considerable exercise and pleasure therefrom.

I claim:

1. A game apparatus comprising a handle, a loop fastened to the end ofsaid handle. and an elongated bag open at both ends, and having itsupper end secured to said loop, said bag tapering inwardly to a pointsuitably remote from its upper end, and then outwardly to its lower end,the constricted portion of the bag being elastic.

2. A game apparatus comprising a han- BYUJ I SATO.

dle, a loop fastened to said handle, an elongated hag open at both ends,and having its upper end secured to and distended by said loop, said baghaving a constricted, elastic portion at a suitable distance from itsupper end, in which a ball caught in the bag is adapted to normallylodge, but Which may be dislodged by swinging the bag in a cir-Witnesses H. M. TAYLOR, ARTHUR WESLEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

